Cooperative bond activation and catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide at a group 13 metal center

Abstract

A single-component ambiphilic system capable of the cooperative activation of protic, hydridic and apolar H-X bonds across a Group 13 metal/activated β-diketiminato (Nacnac) ligand framework is reported. The hydride complex derived from the activation of H 2 is shown to be a competent catalyst for the highly selective reduction of CO 2 to a methanol derivative. To our knowledge, this process represents the first example of a reduction process of this type catalyzed by a molecular gallium complex. A single-component ambiphilic Group 13 system has been developed, capable of the cooperative activation of protic, hydridic, and apolar H-X bonds. The hydride complex derived from the activation of H 2 catalyzes the selective transformation of CO 2 to a methanol derivative, representing the first example of such a reduction process catalyzed by a molecular gallium complex.